by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Turns out the “SafeSpace” that I thought was playing at Reverb last night (see here) was not the SafeSpace that played at Reverb last night. Again, a suggestion: You want people to hear your music or find out about you? Create an online presence about your band (Facebook, Bandcamp, Twitter). Apparently “Ione,” who performed last night as SafeSpace, doesn’t care about such things, though she does have an Instagram presence, which is probably the last place I’d look for show information. Like I said, maybe she wants to remain anonymous?

OK, so I was initially disappointed that it wasn’t the Chicago SafeSpace I was hoping for. That said, this one was pretty good. Performing as a two-piece — Ione backed by a guitarist — (she said she used to have a full band but is apparently between bands), she played through about 20 minutes of singer/songwriter fare that had a similar feel as Seward’s Andrea von Kampen, though Ione’s songs were more mature (and she has a better voice). Of note was the second tune on the set list, where said guitarist played a counter-melody before and after the main verses, that really sent me. Good stuff. I’m told she’s either from Omaha (She’s played Pageturners before, as evidenced by her Instagram) or Sioux City.

Squirrel Flower came on at 9 with a full band and sounded great, playing songs off her last full length. Frontwoman Ella Williams’ creatively used one of those recorder/repeater pedals throughout the set to either augment her guitar or provide layered harmonies. It’s always a cool effect, always interesting to watch the artist build the “backing track” live.

Last night was a reasonable draw for a Reverb show. Maybe 60? I love these 8 p.m. 2-band bills. You can get your music in and still enjoy more of the evening afterward. And Reverb is quickly becoming thee go-to venue for small touring indie acts.

The Sydney could be the next best thing (both clubs are connected to 1% Productions). I’d love to hit tonight’s show at The Sydney, but it doesn’t start until 9 and is a three-band bill. Headliner Child of Night is from Brooklyn by way of Columbus. Profit Prison is from Italy and Cult Play is from right here. $10, 9 p.m.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2022 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

It’s a loaded weekend full of under-the-radar bands. Not only haven’t I heard of most of these folks, finding information online about them is super-challenging. You’d think if you were going to head out on tour, that you’d have either a well-established website or Facebook page to explain who/what your band is all about…

Anyway…

Tonight, Newcastle, Australia indie-pop band Vacations plays at Reverb Lounge. Forever in Bloom came out in 2020 on Human Sounds Records, which has a roster of acts none of whom I’ve heard of. Very punchy jump-jangle rock in a Jetpacks vein (or what I remember WWPJ to sound like). KC band Kid Computer opens at 8 p.m. $15. This is a No Vax No Entry show so bring yer stuff.

Tomorrow night it’s the Squirrel Flower show at Reverb I mentioned earlier this week (Is Reverb becoming thee destination for small indie rock shows?). Opening is fellow Chicago band SafeSpace, or at least I think it is. There’s about a dozen “Safe Space” pages in FB and online. The band that owns this one, below, hasn’t released an album since 2018, but I hope it is these guys because this song is pretty awesome. $15, 8 p.m. This one also is a No Vax No Entry show, so bring your stuff to get in.

Meanwhile, down at Slowdown Jr., Saturday night, Austin-based laid-back indie band Summer Salt headlines a show with Brooklyn’s Renata Zeiguer and Chicago’s Kate Stephenson. 8 p.m., $25.

Sunday night, Columbus electronic/post-punk band Child of Night (Play Alone Records) headlines at The Sydney. Their latest, The Walls at Dawn, is a deep-beat blacklist dance-fueled gothy collection that’s sneaky good. Profit Prison from Bolognia, Italy (on Avant! Records) and Omaha’s Cult Play also are on the bill. 9 p.m., $10. It’s a shame this is a late show on a Sunday night…

Also Sunday night, Pagan Athletes opens for Garst at Slowdown Jr.. Social Cinema also is on the bill. $10. 8 p.m.

That’s all I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2022 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Crazy weekend backloaded with a very busy Sunday night line-up. We’ll get there.

First, tonight is the annual Memorial Park Concert, this year featuring Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul and Chris Isaak — a step up over the usual thread-bare ’70s heritage acts booked in the past. I’m not a Little Steven fan (the only song I know by him is the cheesy “I’m not gonna play Sun City” MTV song) and I only know two Isaak songs, so like most folks, I’ll be there for the fireworks. Have fun. Stay off my lawn.

Getting out of my neighborhood after the annual fiasco can be a challenge, but if I’m able, there’s a couple shows tonight.

At The Brothers Lounge, No Thanks plays with KC punkers Red Kate and opener The Natural States. $5, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, down at fabulous O’Leaver’s there’s a songwriters’ showcase with Those Far Out Arrow’s Ben Keelan-White, Hussies’ Tom Bartolmei, Andy Holmes and Mark Johnson. $5, 10 p.m.

Saturday night is looking mighty thin from an indie perspective. If you know something, say something.

Then comes Sunday night and four shows/events.

The first is the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony being held at the Ramada Inn at 3321 So. 72nd St. Among the dozen inductees is legendary bassist Dereck Higgins (Digital Sex, R.A.F., a million other projects). Nine inductees will be performing at the program, which starts at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20.

The Sydney in Benson is hosting a couple nationally touring dark-synth acts Sunday night headlined by Columbus, Ohio, act Child of Night and Brooklyn’s Shanghai Beach. Omaha legend Solid Goldberg (Why isn’t Dave in the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame?) and Lowercase Tres also are on the bill. $5, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, O’Leaver’s has a heavy-duty line-up Sunday evening for an early show that starts at 6 p.m. The headliner is Young Guv, the project of Fucked Up guitarist Ben Cook. Cook plays power-pop summer-of-love psych rock, gorgeous and catchy. Also on the bill is Slumberland Records label mate Tony Molina. Add to that Nathan Ma, Dross and opener Putter & Co. and you have a veritable mini-festival for a mere $7.

Finally, with the College World Series finally over, The Slowdown is back hosting rock shows again. Sunday night they have Grapetooth in the front room, a pop project with Chris Bailoni and Twin Peaks’ Clay Frankel. Their 2018 debut was released on Polyvinyl. Also on the bill are James Swanberg and Jessica Hottman’s Sun Cycles. $16, 8 p.m.

And that’s all I got. If I misssed your show put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2019 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.